Coin-holder for rural mail-boxes.



G. J. MILLER.

COIN HOLDER FOR RURAL MAIL BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.22, 1911.

Patented May 7, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRANVILLE J. MILLER, OF FORT DEIEIANCE, VIRGINIA.

COIN-HOLDER FOR RURAL MAIL-BOXES.

Application filed. November 22, 1911.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, GRANVILLE J. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Defiance, in the county of Augusta and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin- Holders for Rural Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in coin holders for rural mail boxes.

It is well known that in rural districts.

individual mail boxes are generally placed some distance from the houses of the patrons, and that frequently the patrons live nearly a mile from the mail route on which the boxes are located, that it is auniversal custom for patrons of those mail boxes to leave money therein, generally coins, when either letter postage or a supply of stamps or postal. cards is desired; that it is desirable to so place this money that the rural carrier can readily extract the money from the box in. cold weather without delay, and without removing his gloves.

The object, therefore, of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple and convenient coinholder for rural mail boxes, so constructed that the mail collector or rural car rier can readily and conveniently remove the contents without removing his gloves and without mixing it up with the mail matter.

WVith the above and other objects in view 3 the invention consists in the novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claim and shown in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coin holder constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the same in a rural box; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the receptacle showing the position of the parts as the money is released and Fig. 3 is a transverse section, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

The improved device comprises a receptacle 1, of any suitable material, but preferably of sheet metal and formed in two sections 2 and 3, said sections being of any desirable size and having its side edges bent to right angles of the body portions to form the flanges 4. Formed on said flanges are the ears 5 provided with an opening 6 adapted Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May '7, 1912. Serial No. 661,785.

to receive the ends of the pivot rod 7 upon which is mounted a coil spring 8, said sprlng having one end engaging the inner wall of the section 2 near the upper end thereof to exert pressure thereon, and the other end of said spring engaging the inner wall of the section 3 near the upper end thereof to exert pressure thereon. The sections 2 and 8 are each bent inwardly a certain degree near their lower ends as shown at 9 to close the lower end of the receptacle. The flanges 4 are slotted as shown at 10 so as to allow of bending the lower ends of the sections, said flanges being beveled off at their lower ends as shown at 11 to form a smooth surface when the receptacle is closed. A bail or handle 12 is provided having its ends mounted on the outer ends of the pivot rod 7, said handle being adapted for use in hanging the receptacle in a mail box, a nail or any other suitable means may be employed in hanging the receptacle.

It will be readily seen that by having the ends of the spring 8 bearing in opposite directions and against the inner walls of the sections near the upper end, the expansion of the spring will keep the lower end of the receptacle closed at all times.

It will be obvious that money deposited in the receptacle will rest in the lower end of the receptacle. When the carrier desired to remove the money he holds the palm of his hand beneath the receptacle and presses the upper ends of the two sections together with his thumb and forefinger which will open the lower end and allow the coin to drop out into his hand, and when his hand is removed the action of the spring will close the lower end of the receptacle. Thus the carrier can readily remove the money, and in cold weather need not remove his glove or mitten to actuate the device.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention it will be obvious that various changes in the details of construction and in the proportions may be resorted to for successfully carrying my invention into practice without sacrificing any of the novel features or departing from the scope thereof.

Having thus described this invention, I claim:

In a device of the character described, the combination of a receptacle comprising two pivotally connected sections, flanges formed n the side edges of said sections, cars formed on said flanges, a pivot rod having its ends mounted in said ears and connecting said sections, said sections being bent slightly inwardly at their lower ends to normally close the same, a coil spring mounted on said pivot rod, having its ends engaging each opposite section on the inner pressure exerted upon the upper ends of said sections contracting said spring and opening the lower end of said receptacle.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. 15

GRANVILLE J. MILLER.

wall to force the lower sections together and Witnesses: normally retain the lower end of said recep- J. C. BELL. tacle in a normally closed position, and G. M. BELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

